Futurpreneur Canada plays vital role in 2018 commonwealth business forum
CEO Julia Deans participates in discussions with senior business and government leaders from across the Commonwealth
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – APRIL 17TH, 2018 – How can Commonwealth businesses and governments boost intra-Commonwealth trade? That is one of the key topics being discussed in the United Kingdom right now, where business leaders from across the globe have convened to participate in the 25th Commonwealth Business Forum, part of the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Opened by British Prime Minister Theresa May, and addressed by visiting Commonwealth Heads of Government, this event brings together 800 CEOs, Chairs and senior executives of leading Commonwealth companies.
Futurpreneur Canada is honoured to participate in this forum, which is focussed on building trade and connections between Commonwealth countries and the leaders of business, politics, academia and culture representing these countries at the London event.
Futurpreneur Canada Chief Executive Officer Julia Deans actively participated in a small roundtable discussion with Prime Minister May, British International Trade Minister Liam Fox and several senior business leaders on how to increase trade between Commonwealth countries ahead of the opening session yesterday morning.
“I was pleased that the roundtable supported the need for trade and growth inclusive of youth and women, and even happier to see Prime Minister May announce She Trades and other support for women entrepreneurs later that day,” said Deans. “Majority female-owned SMEs are less likely to grow and export, which makes it vital to create international opportunities for women entrepreneurs, particularly for young female entrepreneurs.
Today, Deans will speak about the role of youth entrepreneurship at a joint session of the in the Commonwealth Business, Youth and Women’s Forums being opened by the Duke of Cambridge. With a combined GDP of US$13 trillion (by 2020), the 53 Commonwealth member countries share similar legal and regulatory systems and language, which makes the costs of trading between them an average 19% lower.
Commonwealth trade facts and figures:
- The Commonwealth is projected to achieve US$700 billion in intra-Commonwealth trade in goods and services by 2020.
- Intra-Commonwealth trade as a proportion of global trade is rising and is now 20% of Commonwealth countries’ total trade with the world.
- Developing Commonwealth members now account for 29% of intra-Commonwealth trade.
- The Commonwealth is the perfect network for business, with a combined population of 2.4 billion people and a combined GDP of US$13 trillion by 2020.
The Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) was established with a mandate from Commonwealth Heads of Government to promote Commonwealth trade, investment and the role of the private sector across the 53 member countries. CWEIC is a not for profit membership organization with offices in Marlborough House in Westminster, and Guildhall in the City of London.
A Commonwealth united in support of free and fair global trade and the multilateral trading system is more important now than ever before. We can all be more ambitious about what we can achieve together.
-30-
About Futurpreneur Canada
Futurpreneur Canada has been fueling the entrepreneurial passions of enterprising young Canadians since 1996. We’re the only national, non-profit organization that provides resources, financing and mentoring to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Our internationally recognized mentoring program matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of over 3,000 volunteer mentors.
Futurpreneur is a founding member of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance, the Canadian member of Youth Business International, and the Canadian host of Global Entrepreneurship Week.
staging.futurpreneur.ca Facebook: Futurpreneur Twitter: @Futurpreneur
For interview opportunities and media inquiries, please contact:
Zandra Miljan
Public Affairs and Media Relations
Futurpreneur Canada
Call or Text: 647-680-8165
Email: zmiljan@futurpreneur.ca
